This series comprises the largest group within the Millard Sheets Papers and documents the design activities of Sheets and his design company. The projects vary in complexity from single family residential designs to downtown urban renewal projects. The scope of his designs include architectural concept drawings, interior floor plans and elevations, murals, and mosaics. Sheets used his design firm to promote and illustrate his philosophy that art should be incorporated into every aspect of daily living.
The files in this series document his efforts to create public and private spaces that reflect the history and natural features and resources of the region in their interior and exterior design. Of special interest to researchers will be the folders for the Home Savings and Loan Association, the Capitol Mall Project of Sacramento, International Pipe & Ceramics Corporation (Interpace), National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in the District of Columbia, the University of Notre Dame mural, and the Pomona City mall and redevelopment project. These files reflect some of the highlights of Sheets's career as a designer. His designs for the bank branches of the Home Savings and Loan Association, in particular, rendered the institution's buildings instantly recognizable to the general population, and became a type of California architectural icon.
Arrangement note:
Files are arranged alphabetically by the name of the project. Within larger project headings, the material is then further grouped by document type. Folders are ordered chronologically.
Collection Restrictions:
This collection is open for research. Access to original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center.
Collection Rights:
The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.
Collection Citation:
Millard Sheets papers, circa 1907-2000. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
